Page 17 - The Insurance Times October 2025

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product design, risk selection, and re/
The Hartford launches tech centre in India to boost insurance capacity decisions, link in-
AI, digital innovation centives to progress, and report trans-

US-based insurer The Hartford has established a new technology centre in parently on outcomes. While volun-
Hyderabad, India, in collaboration with Capgemini. The centre will serve as tary, the blueprint is expected to shape
a key engineering hub focused on artificial intelligence (AI), digital transfor- market practice and inform emerging
mation, and advanced tech development. supervisory expectations, giving boards
and CROs a common playbook to steer
Designed to operate in a start-up-like setting, the centre will enable rapid
underwriting portfolios toward real-
prototyping and innovation across global time zones. It will also comple-
economy decarbonisation without
ment The Hartford's existing tech operations in the United States.
compromising prudential resilience.
Jeff Hawkins, Chief Data, AI and Operations Officer at The Hartford, said
the initiative aims to enhance the company's digital, data analytics, and AI Regulatory shifts now
capabilities, enabling faster and more tailored customer experiences.
seen as biggest risk to glo-
The move is expected to generate strong career prospects for Indian pro-
fessionals skilled in AI, data science, cloud architecture, and digital engi- bal insurers
neering. The centre underlines The Hartford's strategic push to expand its Regulatory change has overtaken
global technology footprint and leverage India's deep talent pool in emerg- macro and catastrophe worries as the
ing technologies. top risk for insurers worldwide, a new
legal/industry analysis finds. Executives
cite the pace and fragmentation of
UN launches global transi- ent engagement strategies, under- rules across jurisdictions-spanning capi-
writing levers (pricing, terms, risk en-
tion-plan guide for insur- gineering), and metrics and disclosure. tal/solvency, climate and sustainability
ance underwriting The guidance encourages sector-spe- disclosures, AI and model governance,
cyber/operational resilience, and con-
The UN Environment Programme Fi- cific pathways for high-emitting indus- sumer-protection (product value, pric-
nance Initiative (UNEP FI) has unveiled tries such as energy, transport, build- ing, renewals)-as the main threat to
a first-of-its-kind guide to help insurers ings and agriculture, using scenario profitability and strategy. Firms warn
develop credible transition plans for analysis and measurable 2030 mile- of rising compliance costs, uncertainty
underwriting portfolios. Aimed at align- stones. It stresses a "just transition"- around capital requirements, and
ing insurance with net-zero and integrating social considerations along- higher chances of enforcement actions
broader sustainability goals, the side climate-and recommends escala- if standards diverge or shift mid-cycle.
framework sets out core elements for tion policies when counterparties fail to Operationally, boards are prioritising
a plan: board-level governance, mate- make progress. horizon-scanning, upgrading regulatory
riality assessment, interim targets, cli- Insurers are urged to embed plans into reporting data stacks, and tightening

16 October 2025 The Insurance Times